> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ebikes.neighbor-ryan.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ebikes.neighbor-ryan.org/master.md).

# E-bikes are a Transportation Revolution

![4 e-bikes on the Hoboken waterfront](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/465045/109428064-3fbf0900-79c3-11eb-97c5-cd2662676563.png)

## Index <a href="#toc" id="toc"></a>

* [Background](/background.md): bike-sharer → bike-owner → e-bike maniac
* [My e-bikes](/bikes.md)
  * [Overview/Specs](/bikes.md#specs): weights between 35-60lbs, ranges from 25-130mi, prices from $1900-$7000 ($2500-$8000 incl. gear)
  * [VanMoof X3](/bikes.md#x3): great all-around / starter / city e-bike
  * [Brompton Electric](/bikes.md#e-brompton): smallest fold, most portable, great all around
  * [Tern Vektron Q9](/bikes.md#q9): large cargo capacity, folds up for easy storage
  * [Specialized Creo Comp Carbon](/bikes.md#creo): light, fast, long-range
* [Reflections](/reflections.md)
  * [Speed ⟹ Safety](/reflections.md#speed-safety): higher top speed – and acceleration – make a big difference in traffic
  * [Speed ⟹ Inclusion](/reflections.md#speed-inclusion): a lot more people can get around quickly+comfortably on ebikes
  * [Speed ⟹ Convenience](/reflections.md#speed-convenience): ebikes are as fast as cars in urban environments; can solve congestion and parking issues
  * [Space](/reflections.md#space): high mobility per unit space; combine with other modes (trains, buses, ferries)
    * [Bike vs. Car Storage](/reflections.md#bike-vs-car-storage): parking takes too much space in cities, and is heavily subsidized; bike parking is 5-10x more efficient
  * [Cost](/reflections.md#cost): the average car cost could fund e-bikes for 10 families
  * [Cargo](/reflections.md#cargo):
    * [Groceries, Bulk Items](/reflections.md#groceries): basically any grocery run, and a surprising number of bulk item moves, can be done via e-bike
    * [Kids](/reflections.md#kids): easy to carry 1 or 2 kids by e-bike
    * [PoV: Grocery Runs](/reflections.md#groceries): I get groceries by e-bike and it's great
    * [PoV: Moving House](/reflections.md#pov-moving-house): I moved across town – with 2wks of stuff – by ebike
  * [Health](/reflections.md#health)
  * [Fun](/reflections.md#fun)
  * [Car sewers](/reflections.md#car-sewers): cars make streets miserable for everyone not in a car; doing this to 100% of streets is extreme, and terrible policy.
* [Getting Started](/getting-started.md)
  * [Bike Shares](/getting-started.md#bike-shares): easy way to get used to city biking/scooting (if unfamiliar)
  * [Renting](/getting-started.md#renting): rent a few types of bikes before buying one
  * [Safety](/getting-started.md#safety)
    * [Stats](/getting-started.md#stats)
    * [Speed](/getting-started.md#safety-speed)
    * [Fear](/getting-started.md#fear)
    * [Riding on Sidewalks](/getting-started.md#riding-on-sidewalks)
    * [Stopping at Stop Signs / Red Lights](/getting-started.md#stopping-at-stops)
    * [Braking](/getting-started.md#braking): [Sheldon Brown on front brakes](https://www.sheldonbrown.com/brakturn.html)
    * [Helmets](/getting-started.md#helmets-safety): can't hurt, but often used to blame/criminalize cyclists for infrastructure/engineering problems
    * [Lights](/getting-started.md#lights-safety): the more the better
    * [Hi-Viz Clothing](/getting-started.md#hi-viz): similar to helmets; good practice, but often discussed unfairly
  * [Route Planning](/getting-started.md#route-planning): [Street View](/getting-started.md#street-view), [Ride with GPS](/getting-started.md#ride-with-gps), [Strava](/getting-started.md#strava-route-planning) all useful
  * [Traveling with E-bikes](/getting-started.md#travel): [flying](/getting-started.md#flying) generally not possible (might work with e-brompton); [trains/boats](/getting-started.md#trains-boats) generally easy/possible
  * [Starter Packs](/getting-started.md#starter-packs)
    * [VanMoof X3 + Gear](/getting-started.md#vanmoof-x3-pack): $83/mo (incl. maintenance/theft/insurance coverage), $3k outright
    * [RadPower](/getting-started.md#radpower): popular under $2k
  * [Reading](/getting-started.md#reading)
    * [ElectricBikeReview.com](/getting-started.md#ebr)
    * [r/ebikes](/getting-started.md#r-ebikes)
* [Gear](/gear.md): 10-20% a bike's cost in add-ons can make it 10x more useful
  * [Helmets](/gear.md#helmets): I use [a Lumos "Kickstart"](https://lumoshelmet.co/products/lumos-kickstart) helmet with lights built in
  * [Racks, Baskets](/gear.md#racks-baskets): starting point for carrying bags' worth of stuff on rides
  * [Bags](/gear.md#bags): get weight off of you and onto the bike, where it *rolls*
    * [Panniers](/gear.md#panniers): bags that hang from sides of back rack; can be quite large, very useful
    * [Cockpit Bags](/gear.md#cockpit-bags): smaller bags up around your handlebars for essentials
    * [Frame Bags](/gear.md#top-tube-bags): small/medium bags attached to the frame
    * [Back-Rack / Seat Bags](/gear.md#back-bags): medium bags on top of back rack or behind+underneath seat
  * [Phone Mounts](/gear.md#phone-mounts): phone mounted up front (e.g. w/ turn-by-turn directions) is surprisingly useful; I use [Quad Lock](https://www.quadlockcase.com/).
  * [Lights](/gear.md#lights): [front](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07544KPJL/), [rear](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YFDFXY4/), [party](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G36BT9P/), [Vont 'Pyro' (set)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078TB9TMK/), [KNOG (set)](https://www.amazon.com/KNOG-12144-Plus-Twinpack-Black/dp/B07CYNMD6M/)
  * [Locks](/gear.md#locks): [Kryptonite U-lock + cable](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XZT8KZ1/) (medium weight, decent security), [OnGuard U-Lock](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008OHBE8S/) (lighter / more clearance but weaker), [OTTO cable lock](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0799DBYBH/) (compact+light extra security layer)
  * [Misc. Accessories](/gear.md#misc-accessories): [bell](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DFF49R4/), rear-view mirrors ([1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G5H2RSM/) [2](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V5DJR8Z/)), [kickstand](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LNLXML4/), [hand pump](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008R5MDQE/)
  * [Gloves](/gear.md#gloves): [padded gloves](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B3PX6TC/), [light but warm winter gloves](https://www.jackrabbit.com/brooks-lsd-thermal-glove---color%3A-black-size%3A-s/609465426438.html)
  * [Rain Gear](/gear.md#rain-gear): [Clever Hoods](https://cleverhood.com/) are popular + good
  * [Winter Cycling](/gear.md#winter-cycling-gear): easier+better than you think, $200 of gear solves cold down to ≈25ºF
    * [Heated Gloves](/gear.md#heated-gloves): [my main pair](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YBW4LCL/), [another good pair](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YYNJ4JQ/), and [one that actually makes a women's size](https://voltheat.com/collections/heated-gloves/products/all-purpose-womens-7v-heated-gloves)
    * [Heated Vests](/gear.md#heated-vests)
    * [Pogies](/gear.md#pogies)
    * [Heated Socks](/gear.md#heated-socks)
    * [Hand Warmers](/gear.md#hand-warmers)
  * [Action Cameras](/gear.md#action-cameras): I use a [GoPro Hero 9 Black](https://gopro.com/en/us/shop/cameras/hero9-black/CHDHX-901-master.html) and [GoPro Hero 8 Black](https://gopro.com/en/us/shop/cameras/hero8-black/CHDHX-801-master.html), in [a chest harness and seat-rail mount](/gear.md#camera-mounting), to [film rides](https://twitter.com/RunsAsCoded/status/1369745569120464903)
  * [Padded Shorts](/gear.md#padded-shorts): [good all-around active shorts w/ pockets](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WSBTQH7/)
* [Documenting Rides](/documenting-rides.md)
  * [Ride-tracking apps](/documenting-rides.md#ride-tracking-apps):
    * [Strava](/documenting-rides.md#strava): robust recording app (resumes after phone crashes), good small-circle social network, good open data posture
    * [RideWithGPS](/documenting-rides.md#ridewithgps): similar to Strava, emphasis on route planning/sharing, UX is clunkier
    * [wandrer.earth](https://ebikes.neighbor-ryan.org/pages/-Mf-g7e2pqq6gCDM2oAg#wandrer.earth): cool app on top of Strava, providing stats/viz about places you've been and places you might still like to explore
  * [Post-Processing Videos](/documenting-rides.md#post-processing-videos): dealing with videos afterward is its own adventure
    * [GoPros](/documenting-rides.md#gopros) are pretty hard to deal with; telemetry data is often not recorded correctly, and the GoPro software ecosystem is a mess
    * [External SSDs](/documenting-rides.md#ssds): [1TB](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073H552FJ/)/[2TB](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0874XWW23/) Samsungs, palm-sized
    * [512GB micro-SD](/documenting-rides.md#micro-sd): never worry about SD-card capacity in-camera (there's enough to worry about when the data comes off the camera)
    * [Wasabi Cloud Storage](/documenting-rides.md#wasabi): cheap+easy cloud storage; good option for archival video storage
    * [VFX Suites](/documenting-rides.md#vfx): unfortunately necessary to do anything with action-camera videos
    * [YouTube](/documenting-rides.md#youtube): I've posted some ride videos to [Neighbor Ryan on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUEDi4kDGExvmx0g0gkVwkA/videos)